Definition of marmalade

The origin of the word "marmalade" can be traced back to the early 18th century, when it was commonly believed that the citrus fruit, now known as the bitter orange, came from the Atlas Mountains of North Africa, where it was cultivated by Berber people referred to as "marmelos." The name "marmelos" comes from the Arabic term "نار الياس," meaning "orange tree," and the Portuguese picked up the term as "marmelo" when they conquered the area in the 15th century. In the late 17th century, the bitter orange was introduced to Britain, where it quickly became a popular ingredient in fruit preserves. The English began to call the marmelos fruit "marmalade" after the Berber people, and the term was eventually applied to the preserves made from it. Over time, the cooking process for making marmalade evolved, with the addition of sugar and gently boiling the mixture to create a thick, spreadable consistency. Today, marmalade is enjoyed in many forms, from traditional orange marmalade to more modern variations made with different fruits, such as raspberry or grapefruit. In summary, the word "marmalade" originated from the Berber people known as "marmelos," who cultivated bitter oranges in the Atlas Mountains of North Africa. The name was passed on to the fruit and preserved in England, where it became a popular ingredient in fruit preserves. Over time, the term came to refer to the preserves themselves.